Today we’d like to introduce you to Jean Marie De Bernardi.
Jean, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I opened my first boutique Jean Marie Vintage in November 1995 in South Beach. Then in 1996, I opened Fly Boutique on Lincoln Road, where we remained until 2013. I also had a Fly Boutique in Chicago’s Wicker Park from 1999 till 2003. I cannot believe we’ve been open for more than 20 years!
We are a husband and wife collaboration. Jean Marie De Bernardi and Maximiliano De Bernardi. The boutique was created from my love of finding great vintage pieces I knew that I could resell. I opened my first store with a few boxes of amazing things I had found in NYC and Chicago along with some jewelry my grandmother sent me. I had been working in NYC for designer Luca Orlandi and fell in love with mixing vintage with new.
I met my husband and partner Maximiliano in 2007. With his background in architecture and design, it didn’t take long for the boutique to pull him in. His specialty is in the furniture and lamp part of the boutique.
With the opening of our Biscayne Boulevard location is when we really started working together, expanding the boutique with the addition of furniture.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
For the most part, yes it has been a smooth road, especially because we had the chance to develop our reputation on Lincoln Road. There we were able to reach tourists and clientele from all around the world.
This was very important in our continued success because even after the huge obstacle of having a fire at our Lincoln Road Boutique, we were able to remain as a destination spot.
Please tell us about Fly Boutique.
We are a Vintage and consignment Boutique that specializes in designer and collectibles items.
Every piece is handpicked and carefully inspected. Taken into consideration is its style, age, relevance, condition and how well it is made. Fly Boutique carries both newer designer and vintage items such as Chanel, Missoni, Gucci, Dior and Pucci just to name a few. We carry everything from unique and inexpensive vintage to mid-range trendier items all the way up to higher end amazing vintage and newer designer pieces.
Our best-selling items are designer shoes and bags, dresses and interesting vintage jewelry. I also have my own line of reconstructed and recycled dresses, bags and bikinis. The line is called Puglia and all of the items are one of a kind.
We bring in new items every day. On Tuesdays, we do consignment appointments where people can bring us the items they want us to sell for them. Everything we consider is inspected carefully and cleaned before it goes on the floor. The rest of the week I am out every day scouring for amazing unique pieces. And of course, we also have a group of talented pickers that consistently supply us with our selection. We couldn’t do it without them or our consignors, as it is now so much more difficult to find the great quality items we look for.
We are proud be recycling styles and ideas from other eras. And the recycling of the actual piece is so important on so many levels. Every decade borrows ideas from the decades before and fashion needs of vintage to continue. We sell to many top designers for inspiration for their new collections.
Fly boutique has the most amazing customers, people that love vintage or simply love high end designer items for a much less price. The style of our customers varies, all looking for the perfect, unique and eclectic piece. We sell to all ages and styles ranging from classic and elegant to funky and bohemian. They are searching for unique pieces that they cannot find elsewhere.
We are proud be recycling styles and ideas from other eras. And the recycling of the actual piece is so important on so many levels. Every decade borrows ideas from the decades before and fashion needs of vintage to continue. We sell to many top designers for inspiration for their new collections.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My horses and growing up on a farm in Minnesota.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.flyboutiquevintage.com
- Phone: 786-332-4156 and 305-604-8508
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flyboutique/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Fly-Boutique-187121941380960/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/fly-boutique-miami-2
Image Credit:
Pablo Garibotti Photography
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